Gallery of Recruiting GraphicsSLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The two-time defending Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference champion and No. 7 ranked Slippery Rock University football team made a big splash Wednesday by signing 29 incoming student-athletes on National Signing Day.
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"This is one of the biggest classes we have ever signed in Rock football history," said newly appointed head coach
Shawn Lutz. "We targeted these 29 guys and all of them signed with us. Many of them had Division I offers on the table and recognized that The Rock is the right place for them to fulfill their academic and football goals.
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"I am very proud of our entire staff for their relentless efforts in the recruiting season this year. We feel like this is one of the best recruiting classes in the country and one of the best we have ever had at Slippery Rock. We can't wait to get these guys here."
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Slippery Rock's signing class focused on filling needs that were both immediate for the upcoming 2016 season and long term for the program.
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The Rock signed a top tier placekicker and punter, two quarterbacks, three defensive backs, three defensive linemen, three running backs, five linebackers, five wide receivers and seven offensive linemen.
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Of the 29 signed recruits, a total of 20 were from the Western Pennsylvania area and the WPIAL, an area The Rock has targeted and tried to control in recent years.
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"We feel like we have to own our back yard," said Lutz. "There is a lot of great football being played in Western PA and Eastern Ohio. Our coaches did a great job of identifying those players and getting them to The Rock."
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Slippery Rock is riding high as the top program in the PSAC and one of the best in the nation over the last five years. The Rock have won three straight PSAC West titles and four of the last five, have won back-to-back overall PSAC titles and have made three straight trips to the NCAA Playoffs at the Division II level, a feat that only six programs in the nation can claim.
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Slippery Rock is coming off a 12-2 record in 2015 that tied the program's best finish ever. The Rock reached the NCAA quarterfinals and finished the year ranked No. 7 in the final official Division II rankings.
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SRU also won five NCAA statistical titles in 2015, including leading the nation in scoring offense, first down offense and total takeaways on defense. The Rock also ranked second in the nation in run defense.
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A brief look at all 29 of Slippery Rock's 2016 recruits can be found below, including a quote on each player from the SRU coaching staff and a link to their highlight videos. A link to a gallery that includes complete graphics for all recruits is posted above.
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Signees are listed in no particular order1. Dylan Stapleton | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio-Senior year: 37 rec., 462 yards, 12.5 ypc, 3 TDs
-Junior year: 69 rec., 1,014 yards, 14.7 ypc, 10 TDs
-Two year total: 106 rec., 1,476 yards, 13.9 ypc, 13 TDs
-All-Greater Allegheny Conference selection as a junior and senior
Coach Says: "Dylan is a versatile athlete with a great blend of size and speed. Has excellent ball skills and is a guy that can be a mismatch any spot on the field. He is a guy that can be put at receiver and battle a corner and he is also a guy that can be used at tight end to block a defensive end."
2. Dontez Rash | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- Benedictine finished 12-1 in 2015
- Â 2015: 142 carries for 1,309 yards and 18 TDs
- Career: 519 carries for 4,092 yards and 45 rushing TDs
- 2-Star recruit by Rivals.com and 2-Star Recruit by 24-7 Sports
- Led Benedictine to state title in 2014 and regional final in 2015
- 2014 First Team All-State
- 2015 Special Mention All-State
Coach Says: "Dontez is an explosive play maker. He is a guy that is a threat to go the distance on any play. Dontez has great speed and vision and his ability to make people miss in a multitude of ways makes him a dynamic threat in our offense."
3. Augustus Necastro | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- Led team to a 10-2 Record, 6-0 in Conference (All-American Conference – Blue Tier Champs)
- 1st Team All-State QB
- All-County and All-Region honors
- Brookfield's All-Time Leading Passer
- Trumbull County Athlete of the Year 2015
- Associated Press Northeast Ohio Inland All-District Player of the Year
- Career: 4,974 yards, 59 TDs
Coach Says: "Augustus is a very intelligent QB that is poised in the pocket and is a cool customer. He has all the intangibles that you would want in a QB and we look forward to everything that he brings to the Rock offense."
4. Braden Fochtman | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- Team posted 13-1 overall record, 10-0 record in region
-Â Team made it to state semi-finals
- All-West PAC Conference RB
- Leading rusher in PA
- Three straight 2,000+ yard rushing seasons
- Career: 6,724 rushing yards on 753 carries, averaging 8.9 ypc and 126.9 ypg
- Career: 92 rushing TDs, 106 total TDs
Coach Says: "Braden is a tough, hard-nosed runner that is compact, but can make people miss. He was the leading rusher in the state of PA and will add more playmaking ability out of the backfield."
5. Chacar Berry | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- All-Big 10 Conference RB as a senior
- Ringgold finished 9-2 in 2015
- Senior year: 174 att., 1,215 yards, 7.0 ypc, 16 TDs
- Junior year: 168 att., 1,392 yards, 8.3 ypc, 23 TDs
- Sophomore year: 87 att., 563 yards, 6.5 ypc, 15 TDs
- Career: 429 att., 3,170 yarfs, 7.4 ypc, 54 Tds
- Named to Observer-Reporter's Elite 11 (senior year)
Coach Says: "Chacar is a talented running back that has fast feet and great acceleration. He is a guy that can do all of the things we ask our backs to do and is a guy that will excel in our spread rushing attack. His brother,
Alfon Cook, is also a standout defensive back for the Rock."
6. Malik Mathis | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- Second Team All-Southeastern Conference as a senior
- Receiving - Senior year: 11 rec., 203 yards, 18.5 ypc, 3 TDs
- Rushing - Senior year: 42 att, 389 yards, 9.3 ypc, 3 TDs
- Rushing - Junior year: 43 att, 592 yards, 13.8 ypc, 4 TDs
Coach Says: "Malik is a smooth, quick twitch athlete that has great speed. He is a guy that can play out wide or in the slot for us. He is a home run threat whenever he has the ball in his hands."
7. Henry Litwin | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- District 10 All-Star Team
- Senior: 62 receptions, 1,371 receiving yards (D10 record) and 20 touchdown catches (D10 record)
- Career: 113 catches for 2,100 yards and 31 touchdowns
- One of nine 1,000-yard receivers in District 10 history
- First Team All-State (senior)
Coach Says: "Henry is a physical slot receiver that has excellent hands and runs great routes. He is a guy that can be used in multiple ways to attack the defense. He is a physical player that will be another great addition to our potent offense,"
8. Trey Douyon | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- Senior year: 13 rec., 287 yards, 22.1 ypc, 7 TDs
- Junior year: 26 rec., 318 yards, 12.2 ypc, 3 TDs
- Sophomore year: 9 rec., 110 yards, 12.2 ypc
- Career: 49 rec., 717 yards, 14.6 ypc, 10 TDs
Coach Says: "Trey is an explosive, shifty slot that is hard to tackle. He adds value in the return game and can score on any play. He is a guy that can make you miss in a phone booth and has the speed to get past anyone on defense. Will be an electrifying athlete in our system."
9. Mike Arnold | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio-First team All-Parkway Conference (Senior)
Coach Says: "An athletic big man that definitely has a mean, competitive streak when he plays. We're excited to get him in our system."
10. Brad Shaeffer | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- Honorable Mention All-Conference (senior)
- Two-year starter, three-year varsity player
- Credited with 23 pancakes as a senior
Coach Says: "Brad does a great job using his hands and has great feet. He will be a guy that will work hard and strive to be the best."
11. Ashton Teeter | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- Senior year: 23 rec., 493 yards, 21.4 ypc, 4 TDs
- Junior year: 23 rec., 432 yards, 18.8 ypc, 4 TDs
- 2 year total: 46 rec, 925 yards, 20.1 ypc, 8 TDs
- First team All-Foothills Conference (Senior)
Coach Says: "Ashton is a speedster at the wideout position that does a great job stretching the defense vertically and gives us another dynamic down field threat. He is a guy that with his speed and length will give defensive backs fits his entire career here at The Rock."
12. Nathaniel Musselman | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- Led team to a 10-1 record
- Honorable Mention All-State QB in 2014 and 2015
- Junior: 1,648 yards and 18 passing TDs
- 20-0 in the regular season as a starting QB in 2014 and 2015
Coach Says: "Nathaniel is a strong armed, accurate QB that has the ability to extend plays with his athletic ability. He is a kid that is a competitor and a student of the game that will excel in our QB driven system. He is a guy that is a great leader and will be able to command the offense."
13. Jake Tecak | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- Ranked as the No. 14 offensive tackle by PA preps
- Multiple time All-Conference performer
Coach Says: "Size is not a factor. Jake has improved each year he has played in high school. He will continue to get even better in our system."
14. Chad Kuhn | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- 3,125 passing yards, 26 passing TDs, 246-for-454 attempts as QB
- Rushed for 15 TDs
- Three-year starter
- All-Conference Honorable Mention
- Will switch to linebacker at SRU
Coach Says: "A former QB and utility player, Chad brings a ton of versatility to the linebacking corps. His leadership experience and understanding of the game will be valuable to The Rock defense."
15. Amon Youngblood | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- Woodland Hills finished 11-1 in 2015, 2013 WPIAL Runner-Up
- First team All-Conference (Senior)
- A 2-star recruit by both Rivals.com and 24/7 Sports
- Ranked as the No. 4 guard in the state by PA Preps
Coach Says: "Amon is an aggressive, athletic kid that has a big upside. He played both sides of the ball in high school. We can't wait to see him play just one side of the ball."
16. Austin Wayt | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- Canton GlenOak went 7-4 in 2015
- Associated Press 2015 All-Ohio Division I Special Mention
- Associated Press Northeast Ohio Inland All-District First Team
Coach Says: "Austin is a road grater that loves the run game. He has showed that he can pull and move well in space and that will make him an asset in our run game."
17. Brandon Zilavy | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- First team All-Allegheny Conference (senior)
- Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year
- Honorable mention All-State (senior)
Coach Says: "Brandon was the Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year. He comes in with great technique and work ethic under new head coach Steve Sciullo at Deer Lakes. Sciullo is a former NFL offensive linemen and now Brandon will get to work with
Chris Conrad, giving him two NFL linemen as coaches."
18. Wilford Clark | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- Woodland Hills finished 11-1 in 2015 and was 2013 WPIAL Runner-Up
- Honorable mention All-State selection as an offensive lineman (senior)
- First team All-Southeastern Conference as a DL (senior)
- First team All-Southeastern Conference as an OL (junior)
Coach Says: "Wilford is a physically gifted interior defensive lineman that has the power and athleticism to wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines. He will make an immediate impact for The Rocks second-ranked rush defense in the country."
19. Jake Chapla | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- Honorable Mention All-State Kicker
- 55-for-55 in career PATs
- Made 16 field goals, longest of 51 yards in 2014.
- Accumulated 103 points as kicker
- Two-time first team All-Foothills Conference
Coach Says: "Jake is a record-breaking kicker who is strong and accurate. He has a big leg and can handle both kicking and punting duties. The Rock special teams units will continue to be some of the country's best by way of Jake's boot."
20. Zack Radinick | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- South Fayette finished 12-1 in 2015
- 2015 WPIAL Runner-Up
- 2014 and 2013 WPIAL Champions
- Honorable Mention All-State
- First Team All-Century Conference as a DL and OL (senior)
Coach Says: "Tough, physical, explosive player who will add quality depth to our defensive line immediately. Zack's ability to overpower offensive linemen will allow our defense to maintain its standard of eliminating the opposition from having success running the football."
21. Patrick Minenok | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- Conference Defensive MVP
- First team All-Conference as a QB and as a DB
- Leading passer in county in 2015 (1,876 yards)
Coach Says: "Patrick is a versatile and cerebral player who will add great athleticism to out linebacking corps. He understands the game, plays with great emotion and is highly aggressive. He will fit in right away with the Rock linebackers."
22. Tim Vernick | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- 30 tackles, 4.0 TFL, 1.0 sack as a senior
- Honorable Mention All-County
- NUC Sports All-American
Coach Says: "Tim is a great blend of power and speed who comes from a great linebacker bloodline. He plays with great aggressiveness and has a nose for the football. The Rock is blessed to have another Vernick to patrol the second level of our defense."
23. Dylan Whiteman | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- Second Team All-Conference (senior)
- 48 tackles, 9.0 TFL, 1.5 sacks (senior)
Coach Says: "Dylan is a downhill linebacker and a knock-back tackler. He has a reputation of thundering hits that will strike fear into opposing ball carriers. A tough, physical player, Dylan will continue the tradition of aggressive, rugged Rock linebackers."
24. Daron Cooper | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- Woodland Hills finished 11-1 in 2015 and was 2013 WPIAL Runner-Up
- Played QB in 2015 (32-for-63, 10 TDs, 499 pass yards, 226 rush yards)
- Will play defensive back at SRU
Coach Says: "Versatile athlete who has the skillset to align at any of the defensive back positions and make an immediate impact."
25. Josh Bader | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- Poland Seminary finished 9-2 in 2015
- Part of Poland's 2015 All-American Conference White Tier Championship team
Coach Says: "Physical player with the toughness and explosiveness to not only support the run but also to be a mismatch against offensive tackles in passing situations."
26. Santino Birty | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- Franklin Regional was 9-3 in 2015
- All-Greater Allegheny Conference QB
- 1,943 passing yards, 16 passing TDs, 140-for-270 attempts
- Rushed for 24 TDs
- Punted for 2,352 yards, averaging 35.1 per punt, with longest of 56 and 22 punts inside the 20
Coach Says: "Another former QB who will bring a great deal of intelligence and versatility to The Rock defense. Making the move from offense to defense will allow Santino to continue to flourish as a playmaker and team leader."
27. Elijah Jackson | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- McKinley finished 8-4 in 2015
- Associated Press Northeast Ohio Inland All-District First Team
- Associated Press All-Ohio Special Mention
- 42 tackles, one fumble recovery as a senior
Coach Says: "Competitive player who can lock down the opposition's top receivers man to man. Elijah also possesses the physicality to provide us with great secondary support in the run game."
28. Cameron Brookins | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- Steel Valley finished 10-2 in 2015
- First team All-Century Conference (senior)
Coach Says: "Cameron is a very talented athlete with great size and speed. He is a versatile player who can cover man to man while also having the toughness to provide secondary run support."
29. James Willard | Full Graphic | Highlight Video
Quick Bio- Pine Richland finished 10-2 in 2015
- Ranked as the No. 16 tackle in the state by PA Preps
Coach Says: "We're excited to see what James can do for us running the same style of offense at Pine Richland. He has a large frame that will develop even more in our system. We think he has the tools to have a great career at The Rock."
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